Newbie question about outboard on sailboats

[imdalziel]

Hi all,
I'm a new sailboat owner, a Lancer PS27. And I have a few issues with the motor that came with the boat. It's a 90 Johnson, and I was wondering if she needs that big of a motor to balance her?
If I put a smaller outboard on her, would it still sail well?
Would an electric motor work okay?
She's only going to be used on Harrison Lake right now, so she doesn't need to go fast, just in and out of the marina.
Thanks!

 

[alexco38]

Are you sure it is a 90. May be just a 9.0??

You couldn't mount a 90 on the transom of a Lancer 27

 

[imdalziel]

I'm pretty sure it's a Johnson 90 V4. Pretty big motor...

 

[KMm]

Your right it is a 90hp.That size motor was stock with those boats. You bought it at auction right? The size of the motor on a 27ft sail boat should tell you a lot about how well it sails, most 27 OB boats have a 15hp at most. the most common is 9.0.

 

[imdalziel]

Hmm... Okay. Do you think it's okay to take off the 90 and put an electric trolling motor on then? And actually.... I bought it off craigslist...

 

[RichB]

Would a PS27 be a keel-less centerboard boat? (like the macgregor 26x)
Just to comment on trolling motors.... I bought one on a long weekend when the 8 hp. Tohatsu quit. Of course I was under the gun with family and friends expecting a good time. Only a 24 hour Wal-Mart was open and we bought the biggest trolling motor, a 55 '# varimax (Mercury).... It didn't have the guts to push my Hunter 23 more than 2 kts. Sailing up-wind in the channel wasn't possible and the electric kicker at full throttle used up the brand new battery in 1/2 hr. So we used the 2 house batteries and limped out to the Gulf of Mexico. No I wouldn't repeat that decision.

 

[RichB]

With the 90 on the back, does the waterline stripe parallel the water??
I guess all is good if it was designed with it.
Looking online, I see one just sold in San Diego with a 115 on the back. It looks like the best of both worlds. Nice lines and a great stern platform. Do you raise the engine while sailing?

 

[Tom J]

If you want to go with the electric outboard, check out torqeedo.com. They have a variety of waterproof electric outboards, some with integrated battery, just right for sailboats, etc. I'm going to buy the 1.5 hp model for my dinghy. They even sell a solar panel that will recharge the outboard's battery.

 

[simpsoned]

with a 90 HP behind it, can you waterski? My old Newport only has a little 13 HP two popper and it goes along just fine...

 

[imdalziel]

@RichB, She's got a keel all right. Part of the problem is that I can't get her out of the water to fix the Johnson. The water line looks pretty close to parallel. I haven't had a chance to sail her yet.

@simpsoned, I don't know about water-skiing, she can make 12 knots with the 90. Fast enough?

Do you guys think it's okay to take the 90 off?
Thanks for all the info so far!

 

[kpgraci]

she can make 12 knots with the 90.

I learn something new here everyday. I've never heard of such a thing. 12 kts with a 90? I guess you're not planing, must push a lot of water. I make 6 kts with a 7.5. I'd be interested to know how she sails.

 

[KMm]

I would make no changes until I have sailed it a few times. The mfg. put that size motor on that boat to over power the boat. Like many of the old motor/sail boats that where not able to sail in heavy weather without using sails and motor at the same time. If you don't like the way it sails then its a mute point. They put it there for a reason, you need to discover why before you change the motor size.

 

[imdalziel]

Thanks Guys! Looks like the motor stays for now. I'll let you all know how it sails later

 

[Happy Dolphin]

You are probably wasting Fuel ($4.??) trying to move a displacement hull.
If you want to be a sailor then SAIL and save big $$$. Find a 9.9 to 15HP and replace the 90! You can probably sell the large HP and get a newer 4 stroke with minimum out-of-pocket expense...

 

[petersea]

OK here is my two cents worth. The Lancer 27 PS is a POWERSAILER (as per the manufacture) it is rated at up to 200 hp. What you purchased is a hybrid...... power boat and a sail boat. Not a bad thing and maybe not a good thing just it is what it is. My suggestion it to leave it as is......no one says u have to use all that hp but maybe some day you might want it. Truth be told the engine, if it is original,is not worth the price of a good used late model 15 hp engine, on the other hand the V-4 Johnson/evinrude is one on the best outboard engines made ! If in fact you put a small outboard or an electric you will have made a major design change from the manufacture. My advise is just use the boat and enjoy it !

 

[Fly_H23]

For getting in and out of a lake marina, a big trolling motor will work fine. Just don't expect much speed out of it. I used a 55lb thrust motor from wallymart.